Top Killers of Office Productivity

Top Killers of Office Productivity

Noisy Neighbors 61% of employees say constant sounds from colleagues distract them from their work.

Despite indications that telecommuting is gaining steam, the traditional office setting remains alive and well, according to a recent "Office Workplace Productivity" study from Ask.com. Actually, a majority of professionals say they thrive best in a classic office setting, as opposed to home. However, the usual-suspect list of workplace distractions—such as noisy co-workers and relentless meeting sessions—is keeping employees from focusing on their work. "While working-from-home policies have been hotly debated in the media, it appears most office workers actually prefer working in an office environment—as long as companies facilitate focus time and minimize distractions," says Lisa Ross, vice president of human resources at Ask.com. "Face time and group collaboration are critical to success, but there's a significant value placed on fostering concentration and limiting outside static. It's important for today's employers to adapt environments to effectively strike that balance." More than 600 professionals who work in an office setting took part in the research, which was conducted by Harris Interactive.